The offices of the non-governmental organization Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos Indigenas (Observatory for Indigenous People’s Rights) in the city of Temuco, in Chile's IX Region, was broken into on 9 December 2006. Sensitive information related to the indigenous Mapuche community in Temucuicui, in the IX Region, was stolen. Members of this community, as well as staff of the organization, may be in danger following the burglary. An unknown number of burglars broke into the office of the Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos Indigenas and took six hard disks from the organization's computers, which contained valuable information related to their work on behalf of the indigenous Mapuche community of Temucuicui. Other objects like printers, musical instruments, telephones and a valuable painting were not stolen during the raid. It is feared that the motive behind the burglary was to intimidate the organization's staff and disrupt their work. The organization has reported the burglary to the authorities. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos Indigenas is dedicated to promoting, defending and documenting the rights of indigenous peoples in Chile. It was created in 2004 in the city of Temuco by a group of citizens of different professional and ethnic backgrounds concerned by the lack of legal recognition and respect for indigenous peoples´ rights in the country. The Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos Indigenas has been documenting and publishing information on human rights violations committed against members of the indigenous Mapuche community by police (carabineros). The burglary took place two days after the Observatorio published information on a police operation which left 10 Mapuche individuals injured, including a pregnant woman and an eight-year-old child. Chile is a member of the Organization of American States (OAS). In June 2004, the OAS General Assembly adopted a resolution reiterating its support for the work of human rights defenders and recognizing their valuable contribution to the promotion, observance, and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in the Americas, and to the representation and defence of individuals, minorities, and other groups whose rights are threatened or violated.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language: - expressing concern for the safety of all staff at the Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos Indigenas, whose offices were burgled on 9 December 2006; - calling for a prompt and impartial investigation into the break-in and theft of sensitive information, with the findings made public and those responsible brought to justice; - calling on the authorities to guarantee that organization's staff are able to carry out their work in defence of indigenous people's rights without fear for their safety, in accordance with Chile's obligations under the UN Declaration of Rights and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups, and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the Organisation of American States' resolution on human rights defenders of June 2004; - urging the authorities to ensure that members of indigenous communities referred to in the Observatorio's files receive adequate protection, if required. APPEALS TO:
Minister of the Interior
Señor Ministro del Interior Sr. Belisario Velasco Baraona Ministerio del Interior Palacio de la Moneda Santiago, Chile Fax: + 56 2 699 2165 Salutation: Dear Minister/Senor Ministro Regional Governor IX Region Señor Intendente IX Región Región Araucanía Sr. Eduardo Klein Koch Bulnes 590 piso 2 Temuco, Chile Fax: + 56 45 208217 Salutation: Señor Intendente/ Dear Regional Governor COPIES TO:
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Señor Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores Sr. Alejandro Foxley Rioseco Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores Edificio Jose Miguel Carrera Teatinos 180 Santiago, Chile Fax: + 56 2 6994202 / 698 3592 Email: minrel@minrel.cl or via website: http://www.minrel.gov.cl/webMinRel/contactenos.do Non-governmental Organization Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos Indigenas Antonio Varas 428 Temuco, Chile and to diplomatic representatives of Chile accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 27 February 2007.******** Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 0DW, London, United Kingdom
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